The '90 Census

Government workers will soon be enumerating
Nebraskans for the 1990 Census. Results will
have practical implications--including possible refiguring of
Congressional districts. The
census will also provide us with fascinating information about
citizens of our state and
country.

But it's hard to imagine that any of the
1990 census figures will be greeted with the kind of
enthusiasm generated by the census of 1890. Those numbers caused
the Kearney Weekly
Hub to exult:

"Hurrah for Nebraska's northwest!
The official count of the second supervisor's census
district of Nebraska, or the third congressional district was
completed on Saturday last. This
is a most interesting and instructive... report, covering as
it does the newest portion of
Nebraska.

"It will be seen that in 1880 the
population of this district was 128,021, and that in 1890 it
is
372,173. The actual net gain in ten years is about sixty-six
per cent, the population lacking
only 1,890 of being trebled in that time. There are now fifty-four
counties in the district, in
1880 there were but thirty-three. Consequently twenty-one new
counties have been
organized during the ten years. These twenty-one new counties,
population marked "none" in
1880, show a population of 60,345 in 1890.

"This is a truly remarkable increase
and a magnificent development. It comprises, too, in
large part, that portion of the state which the croakers declared
fifteen years ago could never
be utilized except for great cattle ranges; but the cattle-man
and the cow-boy have passed on
and the farmer has taken their places, the broad plains have
been dotted with homesteads, and
agriculture has conquered the desert.

"A comparison of increase by counties
shows that Buffalo has gained 14,598. Only one other
shows greater increase--Custer. Custer's total, however, falls
482 behind Buffalo. This
leaves Buffalo the most populous county in the district, passing
during this census period the
older eastern counties of Hall, Dodge, and Washington. Hurrah
for old Buffalo!

"Considering the grand total, central
and northwestern Nebraska have abundant reason for
self-congratulation at the great showing Uncle Sam has given
us. We feel our oats!"